"Search Warrant for Seoul City Hall in 'Late Park Won-soon Sexual Harassment Negligence Allegation' Rejected by Court Due to 'Insufficient Evidence'" (Comprehensive)

Former Mayor Park's iPhone Also Included in Warrant
Police "Reviewing Whether to Refile Through Supplementary Investigation"

At a 'Second Press Conference on the Sexual Violence Case by the Seoul Mayor' held at an undisclosed location in Seoul on the morning of the 22nd, complainants and related parties, including Kim Jaeryeon, lead attorney of the law firm On-Sesang, attended. From the left: Ko Mikyung, Executive Director of Korea Women's Hotline; Kim Jaeryeon, lead attorney of the law firm On-Sesang; Song Ranhee, Secretary General of Korea Women's Hotline; Kim Hyejung, Deputy Director of Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center; Lee Mikyung, Director of Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The search warrant for Seoul City Hall, requested by the police to investigate allegations that Seoul city officials aided and abetted the sexual harassment by the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, was dismissed by the court.

According to the police on the 22nd, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the search warrant for Seoul City Hall and the mobile phones used by the late former Mayor Park, which was requested by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, citing reasons such as "lack of necessity for the search and seizure."

The court stated the reason for dismissal, saying, "There is insufficient evidence to prove the suspects' criminal charges," and "There is also a lack of explanation regarding the necessity of the search and seizure, including the relevance between the criminal charges and the items to be seized."

The police are currently investigating a case filed by the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute,' which accused the Seoul City Secretary's Office and others of condoning and aiding the sexual harassment by the late former Mayor Park.

The warrant included one iPhone belonging to the late former Mayor Park. Although digital forensic procedures have begun, the police explained that the scope of the investigation was limited to the circumstances of his death, and they intended to include the sexual harassment accusation case as well.

Since last week, the police have been summoning Seoul city officials one by one for questioning. They intended to secure related materials necessary for the investigation through the search and seizure, but the dismissal of the warrant has put a brake on this effort.

A police official stated, "We will consider whether to reapply after supplementary investigations in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.